Coned Storage Dome

ABSTRACT

A storage building is provided. The building includes an exoskeleton with an interior cover. The exoskeleton is formed from horizontal rings connected by trusses. The building typically stores particulate material, including grain and other crops. The exoskeleton bears the load of the stored material, and allows for storage of greater amounts of material.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/103,454 filed Oct. 7, 2008 and herein incorporates theprovisional patent application by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

The present invention relates to a storage facility, and moreparticularly, to a coned storage facility used typically for storage ofgrain or other crops.

2. Background

Stored crops such as grain are traditionally stored in two main ways:(1) by covering a large pile of the stored crop with a tarp to shieldthe crop from moisture, insects, rodents, sun, birds, and wind or (2)storing the crop in a permanent, vertical storage building, such as agrain bin.

In the pile storage form, typically the grain is poured onto a support,floor, or foundation into a pile and then covered. A fence generallyencloses the grain storage area and then the cover is secured to thefence.

The tarp or cover rests against the crop and is held on by fans thatmust run at all times. The fence and cover are not strong enough towithstand the pressure of more grain than settles in a pile within theconfines of the fence. The amount of the crop to be stored isessentially limited to the angle of repose of the crop, or the internalangle between the surface of the pile and the horizontal surface. Thus,the store capacity of this system is not very great.

When the grain is needed, the cover is discarded and all of the grain inthat pile must be removed at the time the cover is discarded. Every timethe cover is removed, such as every season or every year, the cover mustbe replaced. There is no way to check the grain quality withoutcompromising the cover; once recovery of the crop begins, the whole pilemust be picked up. Further, because the fans must run at all times anelectricity failure may dislodge the cover, and the constantly runningfans may over-dry the crop.

The need exists for crop storage wherein larger amounts of crop can bestored, the user can fill or empty the storage building withoutcompromising the cover, and fans or electricity are not required to keepthe cover attached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a storage bin thatallows for filling and emptying without compromising the cover.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a crop storagebuilding that has greater storage capacity than that of previous storagebuildings.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a storagebuilding that has a greater storage capacity than that of previousstorage buildings, yet uses the same area of land.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a crop storagebuilding that works like a traditional permanent crop building, but hasthe advantages of a cover building and the economics of temporarystorage.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification,drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the storage building of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the trusses, foundation and floor of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a view of the cover of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of the cover of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view of the storage building of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view of the floor and trusses of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of a storage building of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view of a storage building of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the invention comprises storage building 10 withan exoskeleton frame 12 and a cover 14. The exoskeleton frame 12includes a series of rings 16 held together by trusses 18 that alltogether form a conical, beehive, pyramid, or frustum shaped storagebuilding. The exoskeleton 12 attaches to a cover 14, generally a covermade from polyethylene fabric or metal sheeting, such as light-gaugecorrugated galvanized sheeting. The exoskeleton 14 design allows loadingof the product onto the structure itself. This is in contrast to theprior art in which the product can only be loaded onto the foundation;the prior art structures do not support the product vertically.

The exoskeleton 12 system is manufactured from a sturdy material, suchas steel in the preferred embodiment. The truss system may also be madeof aluminum or other sturdy materials. The cover can be made frompolyethylene fabric, PVC or light gage steel sheeting or light gaugecorrugated galvanized sheeting.

In FIG. 2, a concrete slab 20 is provided. The slab 20 also includesfootings 22 or other foundation. A plurality of trusses 18 extend fromthe slab upward at a desired angle, such that the trusses 18 form thesloping shape of the building 10. These trusses 18 are connected to theconcrete foundation 22 using connectors 24, such as anchor bolts.Circular rings 16 are provided that taper in diameter and attach to thetrusses 18. The trusses 18 are typically in segments that extend thelength of the space between the circular rings 16, or between theconcrete foundation 22 and the first circular ring 16, although theinvention is not limited to trusses that are segmented in this way.Individual trusses 18 could curve up the height of the building. Theattachment of the rings 16 to the trusses 18 is accomplished withfasteners 25, typically a moment reducing connector such that the momentwill transfer to the ground. In one embodiment, an insert connection isused with the truss tube and bolts. The angled trusses 18 and thetapered rings 16 form the exoskeleton 12 of the building 10.

As seen in FIG. 3, a cover 14, typically of fabric or metal, attaches tothe inside of the exoskeleton 10. The cover material may be doubled upat the lower end of the building 10. In one embodiment, sheets of lightgauge galvanized metal sheeting are bolted together in a staggered oroverlapping bricklike manner to completely cover the inside of theexoskeleton, as shown in FIG. 4. The cover 14 proves a tight sealbetween the product and outside conditions.

In FIG. 3, additional cables 30 may run around the circumference of thecover to provide additional tension to the cover 14. The cover 14 hascable pockets 32 to secure the cables 30. The cables are provided in thespaces between the horizontal rings 16.

In FIG. 5, a loading conveyor 40 transports product up the side of thebuilding 10 and deposits the product into the building through anopening 41 at the top of the building. The conveyor support 42 isconnected to the exoskeleton 12, thereby eliminating the need for aseparate conveyor support.

Product is removed from the building 10 in several ways. In oneembodiment, in FIG. 2, a drain 42 is provided in the concrete slab 20through which product is removed, typically with an auger. In anotherembodiment, a gate 44 opens to a tunnel 46 that houses a removalconveyor 48. The removal conveyor 48 moves the product out of thebuilding for transport or other use.

In FIG. 6, there is no concrete foundation 22. Instead, the horizontalring 16 is attached to the floating slab 20 of concrete.

The trusses 18 come together and terminate at the top of the building. Acap 60 or lid on the building is provided that includes an opening pourmaterial. The top of the building is also weather-tight.

Additional features include sensor cables 50 to detect conditions suchas temperature, carbon dioxide levels, and moisture. These cables 50 areattached to the cover 14, typically where the cover 14 meets thehorizontal rings 16.

In FIG. 5, aeration fans 51 are provided inside the building 10. Vents36 are also provided, typically where the horizontal rings 16 meet theangled trusses 18.

An access portal 52 is shown in FIG. 5. The access portal 52 allows aperson to check on the product inside the building, and also provides anexit through which to remove product.

FIGS. 7-8 show various shapes of the buildings 10 of the presentinvention.

The building of the present invention addresses many of the problemswith traditional product storing facilities. The building 10 allows forunbalanced product loads without compromising the structure of thebuilding. For example, when grain is removed from a building, the stickynature of the grain causes tunnels and pockets to form such that thegrain is no longer evenly distributed within the building. Intraditional grain storage systems, the building pulls to one side orcollapses. The exoskeleton 12 of the present invention does not pull orcollapse when unbalanced loads are present.

Similarly, traditional storage buildings may collapse on a side underpressure of snow drifts or wind. The exoskeleton 12 of the presentinvention does not collapse in these circumstances. The angle of thetrusses 18 prevents such a collapse.

In one embodiment, the trusses 18 have a 44° angle. Other angles arepossible; the invention is not limited to a 44° angle. The resultingbuilding may be very tall, typically more than one hundred feet tall,and in some instances more than 200 feet tall. A standard pile storagesystem can store around 1.5 million bushels of grain, while thisinvention allows for storage of much larger amounts, such as 4.5 millionbushels of grain.

The user can fill and unload the structure multiple times withoutremoving or replacing the cover. More of the product can be placed inthe structure than in the traditional pile cover method because thestructure can support grain pressures at steeper angles than the angleof repose of the grain. This invention utilizes a combination ofvertical and angle of repose (pile) storage. Because the crop issupported by the exoskeleton instead of the cover, fans are not requiredto run at all times and aeration can be used to keep the crop in goodcondition instead of holding the cover in place.

Generally the invention can be used with the same footprint as that usedin the pile storage systems, but allows for a larger volume of crop tobe stored on the same size footprint, as the capacity is not limited tothe angle of repose of the product.

The invention also has advantages over traditional grain bin buildingsthat have a roof and walls. In prior art grain bins, any damage to theresult would also compromise the vertical sidewall. In the presentinvention, there is minimal structural support between the lid or top ofthe invention and the side, so damage to the lid will not compromise thesides.

In an additional embodiment, the exoskeleton 12 and cover 14 replacestraditional cylindrical storage buildings. In this embodiment, thehorizontal rings 16 are not tapered to form a cone and the trusses 18are not angled. Instead, the rings 16 are of equal size to form acylinder and the trusses 18 are vertical, generally perpendicular to theground. The exoskeleton 12 and smooth interior makes it easy tocompletely and efficiently remove product from the building, as productdoes not get caught on any interior girders or trusses.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodimentsof the present inventions. The foregoing embodiments and the methodsdescribed herein may vary based on the ability, experience, andpreference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of themethod in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on theorder of the steps of the method. The foregoing description and drawingsmerely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is notlimited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Thoseskilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able tomake modifications and variations therein without departing from thescope of the invention. For example, the invention can be used for anycrops, including grain or any other harvest. The invention can be usedwith non-crop items, such as equipment, bagged materials, items onpallets, salt, coal, earthen materials, fertilizer, or cement.

1. A storage building comprising: (a) an exoskeleton comprising aplurality of horizontal, spaced apart rings and a plurality of trussesconnected to the rings; and (b) a cover attached to the interior of theexoskeleton.
 2. The storage building of claim 1, wherein each ring is adifferent diameter and the rings are spaced apart to form a taperedbuilding.
 3. The storage building of the claim 1, further comprising afloor, a plurality of base trusses and a means for connecting the basetrusses to the floor.
 4. The storage building of claim 3, wherein theangle between the base trusses and the floor is less than 90 degrees. 5.The storage building of claim 1, wherein the cover is made from fabric.6. The storage building of claim 1, wherein the cover is made frommetal.
 7. The storage building of claim 1, wherein the building isconical.
 8. The storage building of claim 1, wherein the building is afrustrum.
 9. The storage building of claim 1, wherein the building isbeehive-shaped.
 10. The storage building of claim 1, wherein thebuilding is a cylinder.
 11. The building of claim 1, further comprisinga conveyor on the exterior of the exoskeleton.
 12. The building of claim1, further comprising at least one sensor attached to the interior ofthe cover.
 13. The building of claim 1, further comprising at least oneaeration device.
 14. The building of claim 1, further comprising atleast one vent.
 15. The building of claim 1, further comprising at leastone access portal.
 16. The building of claim 1, further comprising atleast one means for removing material from the building.
 17. Thebuilding of claim 16, wherein the means for removing material is adrain.
 18. The building of claim 16, wherein the means for removingmaterial is a gate.
 19. The building of claim 16, wherein the means forremoving material is a removal conveyor.
 20. The building of claim 1,further comprising a base and footings.
 21. The building of claim 1,wherein the exoskeleton is made from metal.
 22. A building for storingparticulate material comprising: a) an exoskeleton comprising aplurality of tapered, horizontal rings connected by a plurality oftrusses; and b) a cover attached to the interior of the exoskeleton. 23.The building of claim 22, further comprising a floor.
 24. The buildingof claim 23, further comprising a foundation extending below the floor.